Alan Ritchson has become one of Hollywood's hottest names, but even he can't just waltz into any role he wants. However, his dream of joining the DC Universe might be inching closer to reality. The Reacher star has been vocal about his desire to work with James Gunn and Peter Safran, and now Safran has officially confirmed that conversations are happening.
In an exclusive chat with Collider ahead of Clayface, Safran revealed that DC Studios has discussed several potential projects with Ritchson, though nothing has materialized yet. "We talked about a couple things, but nothing that's come to fruition at this point. I think he's great," Safran said. When pressed on Ritchson's current popularity, Safran emphasized that there's more to the actor than meets the eye: "Yeah, but he's just good. I also think there's a lot more depth to him than you might have seen. I think there's more that he can do that people haven't seen."
Ritchson has been refreshingly open about his DCU ambitions. During a July appearance on Josh Horowitz's Happy Sad Confused podcast, he confirmed that he and Gunn have had extensive talks. "I really respect James. I would like to do something with James. James would like to do something with me. There could be a bright future for us, and there have been a lot of conversations," he said.
At San Diego Comic-Con, Ritchson addressed the persistent Batman rumors, admitting he'd love to play the Dark Knight but suggesting the role might not be in the cards. Instead, he hinted that his discussions with the studio were pointing toward a different character entirely.
Fans have long speculated about Ritchson's potential casting, with many pointing to his imposing physique and action chops as ideal for a hero like Batman or even a villain. But Safran's comments suggest the studio sees untapped range in the actor, which could open doors to more nuanced roles.
Ritchson's star power has only grown since Reacher became a global hit, and he's also been making waves in other projects. Interestingly, he recently had to step away from a Netflix action thriller, with Keanu Reeves taking over his role in Maelstrom. Meanwhile, the Reacher franchise continues to expand, with Lee Child handing over the reins to his brother for future installments.
As the DCU continues to take shape under Gunn and Safran, Ritchson's name remains a fan favorite. Whether he lands a role as a hero, a villain, or something in between, one thing is clear: the door is wide open.
